12 Tips For Blogging Inspiration

For the next three consecutive Mondays I will be posting a Blogging tips series which I hope will be useful and I'd love to hear some feedback. Here goes...

1. Read magazines and blogs, for information on the latest trends, inspiration from the cover star's hair, make up and style or reviews on the latest products (Brands like Revlon and Maybelline release products in the US before they hit the UK) You may see a blog-post and feel you can expand further or put your own twist on it.

2. Take a trip to Boots, Superdrug or the department stores (or Sephora if you're lucky enough to live near one) list trends, swatch the newest products, spray the latest perfume release. Tour the high street for the latest fashion and compare which brand does the trend best.

3. Watch TV and films. Recreate the make up or style of favourite characters, celebrities on chat shows or  from reality shows.

4. Talk to family and friends. When I mentioned I was starting a beauty blog I got asked questions such as recommending the best waterproof mascara, my opinions on organic skincare etc. Ask them what sort of things they would like to know.

5. Ask friends and family the next time you notice and like their new outfit and make up look where it's from. You could also ask their advice on tips for dressing different body shapes or make up for different colourings.

6. People Watch, whether in the park in summer, waiting at the bus stop on a cold day, waiting for a friend to show up or even in a doctors waiting room, take a look at what people are wearing, their hair and make up. Is there someone who hasn't quite managed to pull something off? This could become a dos and don't post or an advice guide. Does someone make a really odd choice look great? How? The most common advice to writers is to earwig (for perfect dialogue or inspiration for ideas) whether on the bus or in a shop queue, perhaps you overhear something you don't agree with- this could become an opinion or rant piece.

7. Use your experiences. Write down what you know since you've started blogging this will boost your confidence and may develop into an advice post or humorous take on blogging.

8. Use your experiences, if you've recently attended a wedding, prom, races such as Ascot or even  nights out, take a look what people were wearing (perhaps a certain style or colour is fashionable) and how they did their make up and hair.

9. Take inspiration from social media, whether this be a twitter bloggers chat or from Instagram and Pinterest pictures.

10. Read and watch the news. Use topical subjects to write an opinion post, or bring awareness of a certain cause close to your heart, broadcast your enthusiasm for the next advancement in beauty technology or take inspiration for the latest outfits from a celebrity wedding/court hearing or film premier.

11. Take a look back at the posts with the most views and read the comments, are there any questions that need answering, or is there anything you feel you left out? Use these posts to expand or write similar posts.

12. Take time out to recharge your batteries. Sometimes ideas flow when we're more relaxed. And when you do get back to blogging it won't feel like a chore but a joy.

MUA MAKE UP ACADEMY MATTE LIPSTICKS AND LIP LINERS REVIEW

MUA's matte lipstick range comes packaged in white tubes to distinguish them from their original lipstick line (in black tubes). The colour indicators at the base are accurate in that they match the lipstick inside. The packaging is simple,no frills.The matte range smells heavily of vanilla creme brulee but once on the lips the smell disappears. They taste of vanilla too but it's fairly subtle. 

There isn't much slip when applying these MUA Matte lipsticks and it can be  a teeny bit drying on the lips.

Scarlet Siren is a bright red and Wild Berry is a darker vamp cherry shade. From the bullet Wild Berry looks almost Gothic but is actually a dark raspberry shade that is much more wearable than it appears. However Wild berry is a little waxy and can cling to dry patches so that the application doesn't look as smooth as expected.This shade does not last a meal which I didn't really expect it to as it doesn't claim it's long wearing.It can wear off on the middle of the lips but looked quite subtle because my lips are a similar red/pink tone. 

Scarlet siren is a little different because it doesn't cling to dry patches and applies very smoothly. It does transfer onto cups and glasses after a drink but remains intact. Again this lipstick doesn't last after a meal. It can wear off in the middle so be wary of the lipstick ring effect.

                               Scarlet Siren

                               Wild Berry 

On the lips Wild Berry is actually a dark red like a red wine rather than purple which was difficult to show on camera. Out of the two shades Scarlet siren is my favourite  I love the fact it's matte and a classic Hollywood red that looks so sophisticated. 

Priced at just a pound both these lipsticks are a bargain! Thumbs up.

MUA LIp Liners

These lip liners are available in four colours- Red Drama, Brooding Plum, Pink Me Up and Softly Lined. They have a creamy soft consistency just like MUA's eyeliners. The sharpener in the lid is pretty decent. and useful. However be careful if you're travelling with these to wipe down the pencil sharpener so that the shavings don't stain your bag.

MUA lip pencils Top-Bottom  Brooding Plum,Softly Lined, Pink Me Upand  Red Drama,

Red Drama kept the runny Jemma Kidd lip gloss in place and without any signs of feathering.

Softly lined and Pink Me Up are both satin finishes which I've never tried before I'm used to matte colours for lip liners.

These are softer compared to Boots Seventeen's lip liners (which are now discontinued) and while they apply smoothly, unfortunately they smudge easily and have no lasting power. While MUA's eye liners look sexy when smudged the same does not apply to lip liners especially if they're in such bright colours shown here. As much as I like MUA apart from the two with satin finishes these colours can be commonly found in other make up brands and they probably will work better, so give these a miss.

 (If you do want to pick one up you can get them from  Superdrug or MUA online for £1.)

How to keep lipstick on for longer

Step 1) Apply a lip primer or Mac's Erase or a Chapstick (this is non greasy. With other lip balms you will need to blot with tissue/ blotting paper to eliminate excess oil beforehand)

Step 2) Outline lips and fill in with lip pencil *    

Step 3) Apply lipstick using a lip brush to give a precise and sharp outline.

Step 4) Blot with blotting paper/tissue. For tissue fold in half and place between your lips and press down.

Step 5) Apply lipstick again

Step 6) This time blot using translucent powder (Loose or Pressed it doesn't matter)
There are two ways.
 i) Separate a tissue so that you are left with a thin layer (one-ply.) Place it over your lips and dust translucent powder on top of the tissue using a powder puff.
 ii) Using a fluffy eye brush, brush translucent powder directly onto lips.

Step 7) Reapply liner/touch up lips with a final layer of lipstick

Step 8) You can go a stage  further by using a lip seal such as Lipcote.
          (personally I don't usually do this.)

*Lip pencil

• Lip liners are usually dry and waxy to enable them to stay longer on the lips. If you are using a creamy lip liner you may need to blot again with tissue or paper.
• Stretching the lip will make it easier to draw. Start in the middle for the top lip. For the bottom start in either corner.
• Drawing an x across the cupids bow will make sure that both the left and right sides of the lip are an equal size.
• For a softer line use the side of the pencil instead of the point and sketch in light feathery strokes.

Tips-

• Apply foundation around the mouth to give a clean finish  and cover any lipstick smudges. 
• Avoid food with oil such as salad dressings, pizza etc. because the oil can dissolve lipstick.
• Lastly to get rid of any lipstick on your teeth: put a finger in your mouth, close lips around it and pull it out.